Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-03-18
THE PALACE OF THE KNIGHTS.
Corporation Offices Cast in the Shade by
PowderIy's Headquarters


It is large and sumptuous mansion
that looms up before the eyes of passers-
by at 8l4 North Broad street, Phila-
delphia, an imposing edifCe, faced with
ornamental br0wnsrOne, with plate glass
windows cuctained within with finest real
lace. It is the general headquarters
of the order of the Knights
of Labor of America, used as the
offices of General Master Workman Pow
derby, the members Ct his executive
board, and the general secretary and
treasurer, with their corps OF clerks and
assistants. Mounting the broad flight of
stone steps, inclOsed by massive stone
b8lusters, the caller finds himself at the
entrance in front of ponderOus wooden
doors deliberately carved in quaint de-
signs. He cannot step inside the place as
be would enter big railroad office or
banking house, for It's doors are fast
locked within. He must needs wait until
he is admitted. Your footsteps are
mUtfled by the thick, soft Brussels; your
image IS duplicated in the four sides of
the room by full length mirrors
built in the wall. The walls
themselves are beautihed with fTes-
Goes, and from the ceilings depend
Justly CudIUttlElSs lou SILK uyWH III u
rich chair covered with crimson plush.
On the opposite side of the hall are Mr..
LttCbman's offices. In them scores OF
clerks, women ana men, are employed in
answering respOndence, filling up
blanks, making calculations and recording
memoranda. None Of these people seem
to be particularly busy. At the other
end of the waiting room is the council
separated from the reception room by
sliding door. There The general officers
sit, each behind a handsome desk, with
his books and papers spread
before him. There they order rikes
plans for terminating lockouts. The
chamber is lighted through a dome of
stained glass. The right sides of the
dome are adorned with representations of
fruits and flowers. General Treasurer
rooms on the second floor as his offices.
The third and fourth floors are used at
present for Storage purposes.
About the whole concern there is a pro-
nOunCed air Of luxury and ease. 1t is q
pslace-not gu office. The unique de-
sCrip5ion Of the palace given by the dele
Newark the other day shows well how
the choice made by the executive board
is regarded in some quarters. The New
ark meH told their comrades at home that
1.-THE general Office at Philadelphia is SIM
ply immense" and that they "waded up
to their knees in velvet carpets" Those
worthy men were delighted at what they
saw. Many of the members of the order
are gratifed at the magnificance OF the
new headquarters. They feel proud that
the order to which they belong should
possess such a property. But the wise
and prudent portion Of the Knights look
upon the purchase Of the North Broad
street mansion as an unwarranted piece
of extravaganza. They think that a less
pretentious and pIainer establishment
would be far better adapted to the needs
OF the order. They maintain that an
which was founded on
the basis OF rigid simplicity and
frugality, that is made up solely of work
iagmen, and is supported chiefly by their
hardearnld contributions, should not in
dulge III such luxury or lend countenGnce
to such ostentation. the chandeliers
alone are worth $500 The carpets,
statues, furniture, etc, are worth many
thousands more.